Posts in category News

Explore the best towns to live in the US. Niche ranks towns based on livability using grades for weather, safety, schools, and access to activities, jobs, housing, and transportation. A high ranking indicates that a town offers a high quality of life to its residents. See how this ranking was calculated.

Starting April 1st, 2015, the City of Vienna will be accepting online payments for water / sewer.

The City of Vienna uses Payment Service Network to process our payments. PSN has been certified as maintaining the highest level of security as required by the credit card industry. To register for this service, please follow the link below.

When operating a motor vehicle during an emergency, there are several factors to be taken into consideration. Several of which are outlined below, including the type of disaster and the important points to take into account..

For example, during a loss of power, street lights and traffic control signals become ineffective. A driver must treat a 4 way traffic controlled intersection as a 4 way stop with traditional street signs. To review the West Virginia drivers safety handbook and refresh your memory, follow this link.

Earthquake

Stay in your car! Bring the car to a halt as soon as safely possible, then remain in the car until the shaking has stopped. The car’s suspension system will make the car shake violently during the quake, but it is still a safe place to be. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, overpasses and utility wires. When the quaking has stopped, proceed cautiously, avoiding bridges and other elevated structures which might have been damaged by the quake and could be damaged further by aftershocks.

Flooding

Get out of the car! Never attempt to drive through water on a road. Water can be deeper than it appears, and water levels can rise very quickly. Cars can float dangerously for at least a short distance. A car can also be buoyed by floodwaters and then swept downstream during a flood. Floodwaters can erode roadways, and a missing section of road or even a missing bridge may not be visible with water running over the area. If a car stalls in floodwater, get out quickly and move to higher ground. The floodwaters may continue to rise and the car can be swept away at any moment! Remember that it only takes about two feet of moving water and your car can be buoyed and carried away.

Tornado

Get out of the car! A car is the least safe place to be during a tornado. When a warning is issued, do not try to leave the area by car. If you are in a car, leave it and find shelter in a building. If a tornado approaches and there are no safe structures nearby, lie flat in a ditch or other ground depression with your arms over your head. A tornado such as the one in the background of this web page is strong enough to lift your car and carry it away. Also, do not seek shelter under an overpass. Contrary to popular belief, this is one of the most dangerous areas to be!

Blizzard

Stay in the car! Avoid driving in severe winter storms if possible. If you are caught in a storm and your car becomes immobilized, stay in the vehicle and await rescue. Never attempt to walk from the car unless you can see a definite safe haven at a reasonable distance. Disorientation during blizzard conditions comes rapidly and being lost in the snow is exceedingly dangerous. Turn on the auto engine for brief periods to provide heat, but always leave a down-wind window open slightly to avoid deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure the exhaust pipe is clear of snow. Exercise occasionally be moving your hands, arms, feet and legs. Do not remain in one position for long. Avoid overexertion and exposure from any shoveling or pushing of the car. Leave the dome light on at night as a signal for rescuers. If more than one person is in the car, sleep only in shifts.

Summer Heat

Stay out of a parked car (this includes your animals)! During hot weather, heat build-up in a closed or nearly closed car can occur quickly and intensely to temperatures over 120 degrees. Children and pets can die from heat stroke in a matter of minutes when left in a closed car. Never leave anyone in a parked car during periods of high summer heat.
(Information taken from www.ussartf.org)

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:
• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger